1863 penny.....

[bluebenz1 0]

Hi all, A new member here....on a metal detecting day i found this penny...is there any significance in the 3 having a slightly bigger space than the other numbers and being slightly on a tilt......

Thanks

Si

[secret santa 2,385]

Hi Bluebenz - looks like a normal 1863 to me. The 3 is a little further to the right than usual maybe but sadly nothing to get too excited about in my view.

[1949threepence 3,368]

Agree with Rashenly. The less than perfect spacing between the date numerals, as well as the numbers leaning at an angle is quite common in the early 1860's, especially in 1861. Mainly, I suspect, on coins produced by James Watt.

[bluebenz1 0]

Ok, Many thanks for the responses......

[Mr T 189]

Mainly, I suspect, on coins produced by James Watt.

Why is that? They didn't do the dates themselves did they?

[Rob 3,239]

I'm not sure it was specifically because the early coins were outsourced.

Up to about 1880, the last digit or 2 digits were entered manually on the die. This is why you sometimes see a variation in the width of these dates, with the right hand digits showing variable spacing. The footnote on ESC p.135 refers. It may possibly have occurred after this time, but I have no documentary evidence to support the theory.

[jacinbox 36]

With bronze it is till 1866 I am made to believe (as per Gouby).

[Rob 3,239]

With bronze it is till 1866 I am made to believe (as per Gouby).

Somewhere on this forum is an 1870 with variable spacing, so make of it what you will.

[VickySilver 885]

Yikes, please let's not go down this row....

[Rob 3,239]

Truth is Vicky, there's a lot we don't know. Last week I was shown an 1887 6d with the second reverse that had the last digit a full tick to the right of all the others seen. That had to be put in by hand too as it was slightly misaligned.

I think it is a case of take everything you read with a pinch of salt unless you are happy in your own mind it is true.

[1949threepence 3,368]

With bronze it is till 1866 I am made to believe (as per Gouby).

Yes.

I meant to say it also occurs quite widely on the 1864 crosslet 4 - the 4 well separated from the other figures, and often very weakly struck.

Obviously, that couldn't be blamed on James Watt.

Edited November 4, 2015 by 1949threepence

[Chingford 166]

Hockings may have the answer you are looking for,

His records from the Royal Mint indicate Matrices with the date 18__ for the Copper coinage, punches and dies thereafter

had the required numbers added.

[terrysoldpennies 796]

They didn't seem to particular were they placed the last digit . look at this one Terry

[Nordle11 564]

Hahaha, that's some quality placement. What rev. die is that Terry?

[terrysoldpennies 796]

Sorry, Don't know your name Nordle 11 . Its on A 6+g [J+g] Terry

[Nordle11 564]

Cheers Terry.

It's Matt

Edited November 5, 2015 by Nordle11